The Sinner's Tale

[Ruth looks curiously to Marigold, who smiles weakly.]

Marigold: "Kind Percival, I know it is in thy heart. When thou stepped forward at Perwall, as if thou alone could route yon Orcish bandits. I saw the rage in thine eye, the injustice of it swept you. Pray tell then, why did it not tonight? Thou were content to wait for mine intervention with the brute. If thou were swift... thy victory was not certain, but surely thou could have shielded the child with thine own body?"

Percival: "...I have no answer for thee. I was wrong, but no coward, I hesitated because I did not understand what thou wished of me. Now it is clear. I will not hesitate in the future. Guide me in mine penance, and I will suffer mine punishment gleefully."

Marigold: "No punishment for thee, Percival. I am not an Abbey Monk to beat thee for thy transgressions. I implore only thou to show thine inner light stronger. Thou art kind, and hates evil, and I pray thou wilt demonstrate it. Now come, dear Ruth, for what dost thou weep?"

[Ruth has begun to cry as they converse, burying her face in her hands.]

Ruth: "In thy speech to Percival, thou would admonish me also! That I did not intervene on the child's behalf. mine fear controlled me, Mighty Lady, and still does! Would that I were brave like thee, to challenge the brute!"

[Percival waits for Marigold to step in, or tell the girl she is wrong, but she does not. Marigold silently agrees with the crying girl. Percival offers comfort with an outstretched hand, and Ruth mistakes the gesture for an invitation to hug. She wraps her arms around Percival, quietly crying. His eyes grow wide, and his cheeks warm. It is, by far, the closest he has ever come to a woman. He looks pleadingly at Marigold, who winks at him. She silently laughs at his discomfort. Marigold stands to leave.]

Marigold: "I must relieve myself."

[She steps outside. The rain has slowed to a drizzle. Percival is left with Ruth for a long time. He does not say anything. Eventually, she breaks the hug, moving away from him.]

Ruth: "I thank thee and thy master for thy kindness. Were it not for thee, we would suffer yet at the hands of that scoundrel. When the lady returns, pray tell her that thou both may quarter in mine father's room, at the end of the hall. Sleep well, Percival."

[Percival is unable to respond. The hug had shaken him, and he felt nervous, fearful even. It was a conditioned feeling, everytime he was close to a woman he felt it. He feels a strong desire for her, and also guilt at his desire. Ruth leaves, and just a few moments later Marigold reenters, shaking her head.]

Marigold: "I thought for sure thou would be bedding with Fair Ruth, ere I left you in her arms. Yet, fancy this, still luckier are thou, instead of an inexperienced girl, tonight thou will bed with a woman!"

[She winks at Percival and laughs, beckoning him to follow her to bed. She hoists her armor and weapons from a pile in the corner. As they walk, he speaks.]

Percival: "Thou speaks as a lech, Lady! Is this a jest from thee? But surely."

Marigold: "In part only, Percival, I had fancied you with her. But I suppose it was not so."

Percival: "Lady... Ruth and I are not wed. To share a bed is sin."

Marigold: "Hast thou given thought to our last conversation on the topic of lust?"

Percival: "I have."

Marigold: "And hast thou solved thy conflict?"

Percival: "Indeed, Lady, though I fear only partially. I am yet unconvinced that the Most High looks favorably on lustful thoughts, as thou hath claimed, but I am no longer vexed. I hath sworn an oath to follow thy teachings on Holy Law. I believe the Most High would not allow such an oath but for two reasons. Either He is preparing to teach me a most painful lesson about the dangers of lust, or thou art correct, and I need not fear. Either way is the Most High's will. And so I will heed thy teachings."

[They enter John's bedroom, a room with but one small bed. Marigold drops her armor and weapons in a corner. Then, to Percival's shock, she drops her trousers and kicks them into a corner, leaving only her undergarments and tunic. He stands jaw agape in the doorway, completely frozen.]

Marigold: "A wise enough answer, Percival, though I hope to convince you of the latter. Put the light out when thou retire. I am ill with exhaustion."

[Percival stares just for a second at her beautiful, muscled legs before kicking himself and ripping his eyes away. He realises he is breathing very loudly. Marigold throws a blanket over herself, laying down to rest. She takes up only half of the bed, making it clear the other half is for him. He removes his boots, laying down on top of the covers next to her, taking extraordinary caution to keep to his side of the bed. Marigold adjusts herself, flipping over to face him.He catches her eye, and the beauty and gentleness of her face disarms him. She smiles at him affectionately.]

Marigold: "Dost thou always take rest in thy full travel clothing?"

Percival: "No lady. I simply wish to remain chaste."

Marigold: "Suit thyself, Percival. Though if it is for mine sake, I urge thee to be comfortable."

[Percival hesitantly sits up, peeling off his cloak and overshirt, leaving his trousers on. He flops back down on the bed, arms and legs crossed. Marigold tugs sharply on the blanket he is on, pulling it out from under him and throwing him almost off the bed. As he settles back down after the interruption, she throws the blanket over the top of both of them. He begins to breathe heavily. His head spins anxiously, as he can feel her warmth. Soon, she falls asleep. She is a mobile sleeper, shifting constantly, and throughout the night he is awakened several times by her movement under the blanket. More than once, a jolt of lightning shoots up his body as her smooth, muscled legs scrape his. So frequent does it become that he wonders if she is only pretending to sleep, and is touching him on purpose as one of her jokes. Before he finally drifts into a deep sleep, Percival remembers his prayer from earlier in the day. He had prayed the Most High would give him a sign that Marigold really was His servant. Immediately after, Marigold had rescued this family from their rotten father. Percival wondered briefly if that was his sign. Deciding it certainly was, he falls asleep for the night.]

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[They stand in the light grey of the misty morning. Ruth is by the door, her hands outstretched as she accepts something from Marigold, who is smiling infectiously.]

Ruth: "Surely, Lady, I cannot accept thy gift. 'Tis more than I hath seen in a lifetime..."

Marigold: "'Tis not mine gift to give, verily, the Most High is granting to thee from his boon. Accept it well now, girl, and smile. The Most High blesses you."

[Marigold pushes something into Ruth's hands, and for just a second Percival catches the glint of gold. He smiles too now, thrilled by Marigold's kindness.]

Ruth: "Bless you, O Angel of the Most High. Bless you. And thank you Percival, for your comfort."

[He nervously smiles as she hugs him again, kissing him on the cheek. The children come outside to wave as they leave. They load Petunia the Horse with her pack. Marigold and Percival walk for some time in seemingly no particular direction. Marigold sees fit for them to backtrack a small amount and take a fork in the road they had previously ignored. It would have struck Percival as odd, were he not so caught up in thoughts about Ruth, and his first kiss (Even though it was on the cheek).]

Marigold: "Percival, Kind Percival, thy senses are lost, and I fear were we to return we may find them about in mud, some few leagues past. Art thou considering Fair Ruth?"

[Percival snaps his mind back as Marigold asks, and decides to answer truthfully.]

Percival: "Aye, Lady, to her doth mine senses wonder. She kissed mine cheek, and I am embarrassed to confess, mine first kiss it was."

Marigold: "Ah Percival! So proud I am of ye. Thou art growing as a man. Tell me, did thou wish to stay with the maiden? I am certain they would have thee, if thou but petition them. Verily, if thine oath unto me restricts thee, I will gladly release thee."

Percival: "Nay, thy kindness is appreciated but nay. I am not made for a woman, nor for speech with them. They instill utterly in me fear, and I find I cannot speak as normal when addressed by the fairer sex."

Marigold: "Percival... I am a woman. Surely thou would agree to that, having taken for thyself a generous eyeful of mine legs last eve."

[Percival's eyes shoot open, his heart racing.]

Percival: "Lady, I meant... nothing but, 'tis, 'tis... thou took thine own trousers off, and, thou admonished me, um, to accept lust, and, and-"

[He trips over his own feet, falling into the muddy road. Marigold's ever-present smile and laughter brighten the path as she helps him to his feet.]

Marigold: "Thou will remember these words, Kind Percival: I'll let thee look but I'll not let thee pretend thou did not!"

[Percival's face turns darker, his usually light brown cheeks almost red.]

Percival: "I did enjoy thy legs, Lady, and more still thy skin on mine in the night. That, I suspect, was no accident. 'Tis not fair, Lady, to ask of me to not restrain myself, and then mock the act."

Marigold: "Ah, thou art ever true in thy criticism. I am a mischievous scoundrel at heart, and frequently doth mine mischief stray to cruelty. I hold thee not in the wrong for thy glances, Percival, as before when thou aided me in exiting mine armor. I fear, if we travel together for some time, we will see a great deal of each other, in various states of undress, and were I to shame thee for looking thou would be a most miserable squire. Indeed, I offer now mine full chastity, if thou would choose it. We'll make camp ere the dusk. If thou enjoyed mine legs, I'll show thee mine full nudity if thou but ask it."

[Her smile never leaves her face, and she looks to Percival expectantly. He seems to have locked up entirely, his heart racing at the thought. Marigold stops, her smile fading.]

Marigold: "Hath I offended thee, Percival? If thou art made uncomfortable, then I am in wrong solely. Thou art kind and true, and thy will is thy own. Speak what you will."

[Percival stops walking.]

Percival: "Nay... not offended. Thy gift is as treasured as jewels to me, lady, to give me thy chastity. I must decline, as I fear I would die at the site. Where did thou learn of the Most High, that thou believeth these things are in his will?"

[Marigold laughs, the tremendous sound of her voice absolutely shattering the morning quiet. She sets an arm on his shoulder, emphasizing the height difference between them as she looks down at him.]

Marigold: "Thou fear mine nudity would strike thee dead? How ugly a hag thou must see me as, Percival! I jest! I jest! Thy compliment is received kindly."

[She walks away, humming a tune and leading Petunia with her. Percival follows, a flurry of confusing emotions eating at him as he goes. Some ways down the road, he speaks.]

Percival: "Thou did not answer mine question, Lady. From whom did thou learn of the Most High and his ways?"

[Marigold ceases humming. They walk a short way in silence, Marigold with her back to Percival. Their footsteps are empty and hollow against a cheerful backdrop. The sun splits the morning fog, birds are waking, and a gorgeous sunrise punctuates the awkward silence.]

Marigold: "I would tell thee tonight."

[Percival does not question further, they walk throughout the day, pausing only briefly for lunch, and they speak little. Marigold is largely her chipper, happy self, but Percival notices occasional dips in her mood. She will stare silently into the distance, or stop mid song and sigh. His curiosity grows.

As dusk gathers, perhaps an hour before sunset, Marigold leads them off the road into the forest, walking a little ways until they come to a creek. Not yet satisfied, Marigold leads them further up stream to a decently sized hollow in the woods. Here they make camp, preparing their bedding and setting Petunia to graze on a patch of clover nearby. Coldly, Marigold orders Percival to help her dawn ther armor. Piece by piece he unpacks it by unfolding it from the cloth in which it is wrapped. She is grim and respectful. As he unwraps her plated boots, she points to small markings on the back near the heel.]

Marigold: "Can thou read, Percival?"

Percival: "Very well, lady."

Marigold: "Then read."

[He must squint to see the markings.]

Percival: "'So is given the account of Jacob, a mighty man of G..."

Marigold: "Thou may say it, Percival. 'Tis not blasphemy to use His name when giving honor to Him."

Percival: "... a mighty man of God. He served twenty three years. An army of three hundred fell on the children of his enemy, but he protected them nonetheless. He slew many before succumbing.

Percival: "Pray tell, what is this?"

[Marigold hooks the sabaton around the back of her legs, reaching for her grieves and handing them to Percival.]

Marigold: "The accounts of mine predecessors. Continue reading, if thou will."

[Percival squints at the heavy steel grieves.]

Percival: "Abigail the Kind has passed on this day. When a flood came, she did carry the people of her town through the floodwaters. She would not surrender ere the end. As the last child was brought to safety, she laid down and died of exhaustion."

Percival: "These are grim tidings, lady. Thy predecessors in what?"

Marigold: "The bearers of this hallowed armor."

[Marigold hands each piece to Percival as she girds herself. Several pieces have more than one engraving, and the breastplate has three. He reads their names and accounts for her.

Matthew the Merciful, captured by an evil king and martyred for refusing to reveal the location of innocents.

Aaron Full of Love, who battled a town's entire guard to save a woman from burning at the stake.

Sara the Wise, Pierced through the eye by an arrow shaft while defending a traveler from bandits.

And many more.

At last, Marigold is almost fully clad in her armor. She once again strikes a terrifying and imposing form, almost seven feet high and seemingly built of steel. She takes up her helmet, prepared to wear it, but pauses, handing it to Percival, she points to a final inscription on the helm.]

Marigold: "Each keeper of the armor is instructed by the previous in the ways of the Most High. When the time comes, and the elder perishes, their student inscribes their manner of death, and takes up the armor in their stead. This I did write for mine predecessor, and mine dearest friend. Thou may read it, Percival, though I know the words well."

[Percival swallows the lump in his throat and focuses on the helmet in his hands.]

Percival: "David the Strong did pass. God took him up to heaven as he battled for the life of his apprentice. Many evil men fell at his hand, and she was saved."

[Percival looks up to Marigold, who has a single tear in her eye. She wipes it away, taking the helmet and strapping it on.]

Marigold: "The pain of his passing is still very strong in mine heart, dear Percival. I urge thee to worry not for me. Is thy question answered?"

Percival: "Yes, lady."

Marigold: "This armor is a gift from the Most High, Percival. It never rusts. It never wears, and cannot be pierced. 'Tis a holy relic..."

Marigold: "I must now train, ere I grow weak. The armor is heavy, squire mine, and I must be sure to wear it much and feel it's weight, or risk the loss of mine strength."

Percival: "Indeed, lady? I believe thee. Each piece is as a led weight in mine hand. I do not envy the burden of it."

[Marigold begins her exercise. She begins with stretching movements, then transitions into movements very strange to Percival. He watches her coiling her body, extending limbs, slowly, excruciatingly squatting, balancing, and breathing carefully. He says nothing, quietly contemplating Marigold's past.

After some time, she sits, still in her armor, taking a rest. She removes her helmet and breathes heavily as she leans her hands on her knees.]

Marigold: "We must make haste from this place on the morrow."

Percival: "I fear my understanding falls short, lady. Thou whistled and sang, and we made our way slowly today. Why now must we hasten?"

Marigold: "The Most High hath spoken to me. Tomorrow holds much violence and evil. We will need to wake early and make our way East."

Marigold: "I am soaked with the sweat of mine labors. Pray, join me and bathe in yon river? I'll retain mine chastity for thy comfort, and to avert the sudden death of mine squire at the site of such beauty."

Percival: "I shall. Lady, and um, Lady... I..."

Marigold: "Get thee on, Percival, I welcome any of thy thoughts."

Percival: "Excited am I, to see thine legs again, if thou wilt bathe in thine undergarments."

[Marigold smiles. Wordlessly, she beckons to Percival. He helps remove her armor, and once it is off, she drops her trousers, revealing her legs again. Percival stares, now unashamedly, at her muscular legs. She stands silently, smiling.]

Marigold: "Thou hast me at a disadvantage, Percival. Show me, if thou art comfortable."

[Percival hesitates, but sees the reason in her request. Slowly, he peels off his own shirt, dropping his trousers to his feet. They both now stand in their undergarments, admiring each other. Though quite lean, he is somewhat muscled across his chest and torso. His long locks hang heavy on his shoulders, and Marigold is surprised.]

Marigold: "All this time I had taken thee as a boy, thou art indeed a man."

Percival: "Thou pays me a kindness, but I am nervous. Mine body hath never been seen by a lady."

Marigold: "Then 'tis a shame. Thy arms and chest are as well muscled and handsomely sculpted as any man. I must feed thee greatly, though, as thou art thin for thy age."

[Percival shivers, crossing his arms over his chest, the gaze of a woman is utterly foreign to him, and though he trusts Marigold, the whole situation is still quite awkward to him.]

Percival: "At the Abbey food was quite scarce, Lady. Indeed, I hath eaten more in thy care than ever with the Monks."

Marigold: "Ah, Poor, boy. Nay, young man! Thou has suffered unnecessarily at the hands of thy religion. I trust now the Holy hath sent thou to me. I shall show you his genuine love."

[She reached her hands out to him, offering a hug. He hesitates briefly, but accepts her affection. Marigold wraps her long, powerful arms around the thinner, shorter man. He lays his head on her chest, and hears her heart beat. In her grasp he quickly becomes aroused. He fears Merigold will feel his hardness. She does.]

Marigold: "I am honored by thy manhood."

[Percival is shocked, withdrawing quickly, looking at his feet in shame.]

Percival: "I have dishonored thee. I am foul. I beg thy forgiveness."

Marigold: "Thou ought not be ashamed, Percival, Indeed, all men have your reactions."

Percival: "Indeed, Lady Marigold? Even in this, abjectly filthy and foul sin, thou art forgiving?"

[Marigold rolls her eyes, then closes them and takes a breath. She is clearly frustrated.]

Marigold: "Thou hath sinned not in my presence, Percival, save when thou hesitated with the brute before. Be ashamed no more of thy lust, or of thy body. I appreciate all of these."

Percival: "I hear thy words, Lady, and am sworn to heed them, but I pray also thou will understand. Every word thou speakest seems to defy all my teaching from mine abbey fathers, who raised me as a son, and taught me much of the Most High."

[Marigold raises her voice at him for the first time. She clutches her fist as she yells.]